GETTING THERE AND AROUND

Preparing your Trip

 Filling your brains, filling your heart

Passing rice fields to visit an old temple in the forest is always fun. It becomes a riveting experience as you unmask the life behind the view: the convolutions of water from terrace to terrace, the intricacies of Hindu epics, the profusion of orchids under the trees.

Before leaving, pick up some of the many books written about the island luscious novels and candid travelogues, bird watching and diving guides, scholarly essays, and lively debates about where Bali comes from and where it heads to.And as you learn about Bali 's nature and culture, you'll be less likely to offend people with a wrong gesture or unwittingly destroy a rare coral species. For trying to understand people and natural life is the first step towards respecting them.

Filling your suitcase

Light packing makes travel easier, especially in Bali , this shopper's dream come true. Why bring piles of shorts and T-shirts when you can buy them cheaply on the spot? And at the end of your trip, you'll be desperate for space in your luggage to fill with souvenirs.

Bali has a warm climate all year long, so light cotton clothes are ideal. One thing that you may not readily find.